تأملات هادئة قدر الإمكان فى عالم مستفز

My Bookmarx 11/16/2011

Last night a huge crowd gathered outside the Quirinale where Berlusconi was giving his resignation to President Napolitano. Berlusconi was welcomed by shouts of “buffoon”, “mafioso” and Resistance songs.

There has been a widespread sigh of relief in both Italy and the world’s financial capitals now that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has resigned. But his successor, Mario Monti, faces a steep uphill battle. Many are concerned that he won’t last long in a country full of political pitfalls.

Cronyism has always played a significant part in Russian political and economic life, so the arrival on the scene 20 years ago of crony capitalism was no surprise. It has been through various stages over that period, ending up with the ‘predatory state’ that exists in Russia today.

Germany’s constitution is highly respected, but it also obstructs the transfer of power from Berlin to Brussels — a fact that has hindered the rescue of Europe’s common currency. At the CDU’s party conference this week, Angela Merkel may push for an overhaul of the Basic Law in order to hasten euro bailout efforts.